The "Singing in the Rain" performance was one of several student choreographed numbers. LAUREN SHEPHERD, FOR THE REGISTER

South Orange County School of the Arts held its cabaret-style year-end showcase at the Dana Hills High School Porthole Theater on June 8.

The year's major SOCSA fundraiser entertained the 300 family and community members in attendance while they enjoyed a catered dinner during the first act.

"I am happy to see the orchestra become more involved this year; they are all such artists," SOCSA orchestra instructor Sonja Hammad said.

SOCSA's instrumental ensembles, drum-line, choir and orchestra, led by SOCSA instrumental music instructor Steve Wade, performed songs from Broadway's "Wicked" and NBC's "Smash," as well as classics from "Showboat" and "West Side Story."

"What amazed me most about this year's showcase was the desire of the individual programs to work together. Not only the teachers, but the students collaborated on their own numbers," SOCSA arts director and vocal director Raymond Woods said.

"We have a well-rounded choir this year," Megan Forster, junior choir student, said. "For every powerful alto, there is a powerful soprano."

Suzie Bindi, SOCSA Foundation president, hosted the cabaret and invited families to donate funds for orchestra instruments and professional one-on-one coaching. Her daughter, sophomore Melissa Bindi, joined 500 of her classmates to perform a diverse set list.

In Act II, the confident students performed a variety of self-produced dance numbers and scenes, expressing gender equality and individualism ideals through song and dance.

"I am overwhelmed with the talent, dedication and time the students gave to the program this year, and the family involvement has been so essential," SOCSA drama, stagecraft and theatrical production instructor Samantha Sanford said.

SOCSA show choir instructor Donna Magnani-Convertino produced a triple mash-up of empowering songs, "Shop Around," "Respect" and "Survivor" for the debut of the SOCSA's Golden Lantern Show Choir.

"This year's students are very versatile; not only are they a triple threat on stage, they have also learned the tech work and visual arts," Brittany Casey, SOCSA musical theater and dance instructor, said.

Act III brought the show to an end and included numbers from the fall drama, "Dracula," and musical theater productions, "Into the Woods" and "Sideshow."

"I love the opportunity we have to perform many shows," senior Jacob Sloan said. "There is not a week throughout the year when we aren't preparing for a show."

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